Summary: part seven of "A purpose driven life". We were created to be like Christ even in the midst of trials.

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ?Let?s cross to the other side of the lake.? 36 He was already in the boat, so they started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water.

38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they woke him up, shouting, ?teacher, don? you even care that we are going to drown??

39 When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, ?quiet down!? Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 And he asked them, ?Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me??

41 And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, ?ho is this man, that even the wind and waves obey him??

-THEY WERE IN A STORM! (A fierce storm!, Fierce winds were tossing the boat around!, The waves were hitting at the boat!, the boat was getting full of water!

- Sounds simmilar to some of the storms we go through in Tampa.

IT WAS A SET UP!, A test! (TWO WAYS TRIALS COME TO OUR LIVES) 1.Temptation, 2.Storms of life

-No one is exempt from trials

*Psalms 11:5 says; "The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked" ?testing? or ?proving by testing,? determin?s the depth and integrity of our commitment to God.

-God?s command to Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice( in Gen. 22:1-19 was a test of his commitment to God).

" Dear brothers and sisters,?*?whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything".(James 1:2-4)

-We should expect trials, Jesus said; "In the world you will have trials but do not fear because I have overcome the world"

*1 peter 4:12 says; "Dear friends, don? be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world".